Six Days in Sikkim - Long ride, scenic windows, chillness and Snow Stories We’ll Cherish Forever

As a creative soul with a deep love for photography, travel for me is not just about places—it’s about moments waiting to be framed. With that spirit, my family and I planned our first-ever trip to the northeastern part of India in October 2025, choosing Sikkim, the green jewel of the Himalayas. Cool weather, dramatic landscapes, and untouched beauty were our expectations—and Sikkim exceeded every one of them.

From Bangalore to Bagdogra - Gangtok: Where Our Journey Began

Our first encounter with Sikkim was MG Road, Gangtok—clean, vibrant, and alive with culture. Walking hand in hand with my family, taking photos, enjoying our food in the cool mountain air, and watching locals and tourists blend seamlessly with the Teesta River

flowing through the state, we were mesmerized by the spectacular view. of Mount Kanchenjunga I felt an instant connection. 

Towards Nathula Pass: Standing at the Edge of Nations

The journey to Nathula Pass was nothing short of surreal. Step by step, we climbed higher into the clouds until we stood face-to-face with the India–China border. The cold was intense yet manageable, but the feeling was overwhelming—pride, awe, and silence all at once. Cameras clicked, but some moments were best captured by the heart.

Nature’s Poetry: Bhimnala Falls

On the way, Bhimnala Falls greeted us with its roaring grace. The water crashing down the rocks, surrounded by untouched greenery, felt like nature reminding us of its raw power and beauty. It was one of those moments where you pause—not to photograph—but simply to feel.

Lachung and Zero Point: A Dream Painted in White

The long drive to Lachung was a visual feast—winding roads, dramatic mountain terrains, and endless valleys. Each turn revealed a new masterpiece. Then came Zero Point—an exotic panoramic view, an otherworldly destination where snow covered everything in sight.

For the first time in my life, I touched snow. Snow everywhere. Falling, freezing, magical. The cold was biting, our oxygen can sadly fail us, and breathing became slightly difficult, lucky one of the tourism family helped us with their oxygen can and we managed to survive in the snow for long hours—but none of that could stop our joy. We laughed, froze, struggled, and still took countless photographs. The feeling of snowflakes hitting our faces, the silence of the mountains, and the sheer beauty around us—it was unforgettable.

Surviving the Cold in Lachung

Our stay in Lachung tested us. The room we were initially given was disappointing, and the freezing temperature made it worse. But we stood our ground, fought for a better room, and finally managed a change. Even then, the cold was relentless. Only the next day did we manage to get a heater—but by then, we had already learned to laugh at discomfort and turn it into a memory.

Back Home, But Forever Changed

Soon, it was time to leave—driving back to Bagdogra Airport, carrying heavy luggage and even heavier memories. From there, we returned to Bangalore, physically tired but emotionally full.

A Trip to Remember

This 6-day journey to Sikkim was more than a vacation—it was an experience that bonded us as a family, challenged us, thrilled us, and gifted us stories we will cherish forever. From bustling MG Road to silent snowfields, from freezing nights to warm laughter, Sikkim gave us memories that no photograph can fully capture—but I’m glad I tried.

Sikkim, you were cold, challenging, breathtaking—and absolutely unforgettable

The anotomy of Kolkata

Kolkata - the old capital of India, this city has its glory of been the capital of British East India. The East Indian company's capital of India, with Victoria Fort built for the Queen, Writer's Building for Administration, Howrah Bridge for transportation, Tramcars in the roads,  it is still the capital of British Raj in India.

The crowd and the temperature in this city is so special that it is always high compared to all the other cities in India.The people are friendly, speak Hindi like Bengali..polite and courageous, water flows freely in the streets during early morning and evening which cleans the people, people's clothes and also their vehicles!

Almost all the buildings in Dalhouise square(BBD Bagh) which is the central Kolkata, makes one to think that we (Indians) are yet to get freedom from the British Raj. We can actually wonder if there are one or two such heritage buildings but what irritates more is you could see old heritage buildings all over central Kolkata....it gives the feel like we are still living in the past or we are still the slaves....you would every such building is of British style which is poorly maintained, rust filled doors, dark dooms, long iron rusted doors..some exceptional like that of the Writer's building, Governor Bhavan, Indian Museum, Income tax building, NS Road full of Banks, RBI, Governor's and Post offices...called Old Kolkata..or Calcutta!!! Maybe that's the reason its called as Old Calcutta!!! Not the modern Kolkata...

Though the Indian Museum is one of the oldest, it has all the statues with broken nose and poorly maintained rooms with historical importance..

The 1690's Writer's Building has the great history of BBD(Binay,Badal & Dinesh)  friends killed the Colonal N.S.Simpson in the lobby, this is the place where the present Chief Minister Mamta Bannerje's office is located, also one of the historical place in Kolkata.

The most fascinating is the Howrah Bridge, Kalighat temple, Dhakaneshwar Kali temple, Ramakrishnan mutt, Park street with smoking ladies in sareers and sleeveless blouse...was quite interesting to see besides the historical symbol  Writer's building the BBD's Assassination of Colonel N.S.Simpson in the Writer's building...the statue of Muthuramalinga thevar statue in Kolkata(south meets north), and lots of south indian/madras hotels!!!

Just because the buildings are old, shabby and ugly, the local buses, trams and their yellow taxis also match with them and retain the same look.Most of the time my taxi driver from airport are shirtless like Salman khan or with their bannians(Vest) like Sunny Deol..not to show his six packs or biceps but to keep themselves cool from the humidity, which makes the people to wear less/cotton dresses!

I was amazed to see the tram, to travel in it..took photos, as trams been referred to my parents as they only had the privilege of describing about it during the 1950s as it was there in some major parts of my city Madras(Chennai) ... with all the excitements diminishes soon as it is old and poorly maintained..it can be well described as two old rusted iron boxes with lots of ventilation for the movement of air and passengers making its way in the crowded lanes and road with heavy wheel noise..which itself is the horn!

More than traffic, the pedestrians are definitely not law abiding citizen as they always run when there is green signal for the vehicles, but they try to run faster than the vehicles to cross the roads...most of the time they succeed or the vehicles have to use the brakes, the visual for that was very interesting to see..old men, young ladies, fat people with heavy tummy will run between the narrow gaps of the fast bus and motor cycle...the ladies and gentlemen will chase the bus which will be in full speed to catch there seats or at least to get into the steps of the crowded bus.

The traffic police in Kolkata city has made arrangements to play old classical songs in the traffic signals..I get used to the tunes which are repeated more often..the old Bengali songs..!

People standing in the middle of the road between the buses, cars and the tram sneaking the roads...you can see people walking in all possible direction and wondering why you are standing there to wait for the green signal to cross the road, because nobody bothers for it.I experienced it from my walks from Governor Bhavan to Esplanade square in the morning and in the evening, the corner is decorated with the authentic shop for Bengal sweets -K.C.Das-the one stop for Roosgullah!

Besides venturing in K.C.Das for the Rasmalai, Kachori, puri and allu with brown skins..Food in Kolkata is quite cheap on the road sides but not hygienic, fish curry is not that tasty like that of south indian spicy fish curry dishes, here the fish fry tops in the fish section, momo keeps me filled most of the times whether it is Chicken momo or Fish momo in fried or Steamed form...as well as in Veg momo form... besides that Lassi is the best here with lots of mallai and with pure buffalo's milk...mango juices are luscious creamy with milk sweet, padam, cashew toppings makes to have it repeatedly whether it rains or shines...

India's oldest Metro rail system is there in kolkata, but it is without airconditioned (a/c), with heavy crowd, closed on Sunday morning with all these hassels it serves the purpose of  cheap, fast way of transportation!

The lane from Central to Park is full of shops selling garments, perfumes, shoes, books...here is Metro cinema hall, food shops, Hotels, Bars and also Big Bazaar in one of the modernized old building!

The scenic view of Howarh bridge on the hoogly river, ganges, for the religious reasons, temples on the shore, boat rides...Modernizing kolkata with City center, Eden Garden, Park road, Apeejay Oxford book stall, Elgin road-Spencer's, Salt lake, South City mall has the ingredient of a Metro. 

Like the place in Edinburgh where the Harry Porter story was penned...Places like Ace film director Satyajit Ray's(Oscar winner) house and his hangout place Indian cafe are interesting places for me..Mother teresa's house, dakshineswar, kalighat, are the divine destination which shouldn't been missed here in Kolkata

Of all the banners with different types of political leaders in different costumes and flashy advertisements in Kolkata, one that attracted most is here:

What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow: Mamata...

Happen to leave Kolkata with this thick though process of what Bengal thinks today??!!!